I am scheduled December 12th to have my lap band removed and revision to RNY. I leave in May for Europe for wine cruise in Bordeaux France and then an additional 3 weeks in Spain and Portugal. I would like to enjoy some wine and tastes of on the various foods we will be served. I will be traveling with 2 other couples. I need help understanding where I will be in 6 months. Can I eat and drink just about anything within the small servings guidelines? Being able to keep up with the other couples and being sick and tired of being so heavy and out of shape is my driving me to do this now. The other issue I have is that my mom is being referred to hospice. She is 95 and not sure if she has days or weeks left. How long will it take me to recover from surgery so I can get back to visiting her. She lives near me. Thanks in advance for any comments.

Sounds like a wonderful vacation you have planned! I had my band to bypass on October 24 and I am already on normal foods as long as I feel like I can tolerate them well, so I think you will be okay on being able to eat what is served, just in the appropriate quantities.

My program does not want us drinking any alcohol for at least a year. I think that is partly because of the unneeded calories, but they also are very serious about transfer addiction at my practice since it is a very real thing. And I'm sure you know it takes much less alcohol to feel the effects in a bypass patient, so you may not be able to do every tasting, but I would think you'll be okay to have some. I personally wouldn't have my first glass of wine in public just in case I get sillier than I might think. ?

In regards to visiting your mom, my bypass surgery was about the same pain level as my band. I did not use any narcotics and I was allowed to drive as long as I was not taking narcotics. Even if I wasn't allowed to drive, I think I would have felt well enough to sit with a family member the day I left the hospital. Your mileage will vary of course, but I am sending out lots of good thoughts to you and your family so you will be feel well enough to be with your mom as quickly as possible.

Thank you so much for your response. It’s what I needed to move forward. Now if my mom an stay stable this week, i think I’ll be fine. One more question, did you tell extended family members about your surgery? I told my daughter and son and both think I should try harder to loose weight on my own. I have not said anything to any of my siblings as I really don’t want their advice and options. My husband is very supportive and feels it important that I get the weight off. We have so many future travel plans as we move into retirement.

I have a very small family, so everyone in my family knows whether I told them or not. The only person who isn't very supportive is my aunt, she believes you should accept your size no matter what, which I guess I didn't realize! She seemed supportive before the surgery, but her tune has changed since then.

I think who you tell is a very personal decision. If telling people is going to cause more stress than it is worth, I wouldn't bother, if people ask how I am losing weight, I'd just tell them I did a pouch reset and have gotten back on track with eating the right foods in the right portions. You don't owe it to anyone to tell them, so do what is very best for you to make sure you are successful with this! I am so glad your husband is supportive, I do think it is important to have at least one good cheerleader throughout this process, even if it is a support group online like us!

If you are going to drink wine, I would try it at home first. Many people report that the amount of alcohol it takes before they are drunk is way lower than before WLS. I'd hate for you to get sloshed on a half a glass of wine and fall overboard!? Also be careful about the sugar content of your wine, you don't want to get dumping syndrome from it. You should stick to the drier wines. As far as the foods, by six months you shouldn't have any eating restrictions other than just small amounts. You should stay away from really fatty foods as you may dump from that--it'd definitely pass on the foie gras! Bon appetit!